35-day Special Time Charter
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Military Sealift Command (MSC), under the Department of the Navy, has issued a Sources Sought Notice to gather information on the availability and pricing of a U.S. or Foreign Flag Surface Support Vessel. This vessel is required for approximately 35 days to support Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) mission operations in the Solomon Islands. Responses are due by February 02, 2026, 1100 ET.
Scope of Work
The vessel will operate from Honiara, Solomon Islands, with laydays commencing April 26, 2026, and cancelling April 29, 2026. Key requirements include:
- Vessel Characteristics: 6-day endurance without resupply, minimum 8 knots cruising speed, and approximately 45 sq ft of deck space for 15-20 equipment cases.
- Accommodations: Berthing for a minimum of 10 sponsor personnel (exclusive of crew), two working showers and heads, 24/7 laundry access, two hot meals daily (min. 3,600 kcal/day), access to a la carte boxed lunches, and minimum 5 liters of bottled drinking water per person per day.
- Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs): Provision and operation of two RHIBS capable of transporting 4 personnel, sonar equipment, a generator, and personal gear. RHIBS must be semi-covered, equipped with anchoring systems, 90+ HP engines, and capable of towing sonar systems at 2-5 knots. Coxswains must follow navigation waypoints, and the vessel must provide launch and retrieval operations.
- Mission Support: Provide and maintain two generators (min. 2K Watt), materials for one buoy marker and one soft marine line, storage for sonar towfish/processor equipment, daily cleaning and trash removal, crew assistance with loading/securing GFE and operating cranes/davits, marine GPS and VHF communication, and assistance with navigation/transit planning, mooring, RHIB transits, and resupply planning. The vessel crew will also participate in daily planning meetings.
Submission & Evaluation
Interested parties must provide specific information including a vessel description, Certificate of Inspection (COI) or equivalent, photos, fuel consumption spreadsheet, daily charter hire rate, delivery/redelivery bonuses, number of supercargo, company information (name, CAGE code, small business standing), and any pertinent questions or comments. Responses are requested via email to the point of contact. This is a Request for Information (RFI) only; responses are not considered an offer, and the government will not pay for preparation costs.
Eligibility / Set-Aside
- NAICS Code: 483111 (Water Transportation)
- Small Business Size Standard: 1,050 employees
- Set-Aside: None specified (market research stage); respondents should indicate if they are a small business concern.
Contact Information
Primary Point of Contact: Matthew Price (matthew.r.price40.civ@us.navy.mil, 757-341-3348) Secondary Point of Contact: Christopher Tomlin (christopher.a.tomlin5.civ@us.navy.mil)